Here’s everything you need to know about oatmeal overnight – the best basic recipe, the right ratio, plus some recipes. Overnight oats are delicious, easy to make and perfect for preparing for the morning.

Do you like to eat warm oatmeal, but prefer to eat something refreshing in the summer. Oatmeal Overnight is perfect for you then!

I’m a big fan of hot oats (especially baked oats), but overnight oats have a special place in my heart. They are easy to make and you have countless recipes…. I love that I can prepare everything the night before and wake up to a delicious breakfast. I have tried with super many different oats. With this article, I want to answer all your questions regarding oatmeal overnight/ overnight oats.

How do you make oatmeal overnight?

Overnight oats are meant to be eaten cold, but if you prefer warm oatmeal, you always have the option of reheating them. Because you soak the oats overnight, they become soft and easily digestible, making them delicious to eat cold!

Required ingredients Overnight Oats

1. Two guesses; the main recipe is oatmeal. You have a variety of oatmeal you can use; natural, choco, apple, banana, coconut and more…. The oatmeal absorbs the liquid overnight, giving you a delicious creamy texture. Instant, quick-cooking oats do not work because they do not absorb the liquid in the same way.
2. Milk – You can make overnight oats with any type of milk you like. Personally, I am a fan of plant-based milk. With that said, I usually use unsweetened almond milk for my overnight oats.
3. Yogurt – gives overnight oats an extra creamy texture and adds a little protein. Personally, I like to use Greek yogurt because it has the highest protein content and the lowest sugar content. To make vegan or dairy-free overnight oats, you can use a non-dairy yogurt or skip the yogurt altogether and use extra milk.
4. Chia Seeds – Chia seeds are optional, but I love them because they add a little fiber, protein and omega-3 fatty acids to your dish. In addition, they help absorb some of the milk, giving the oats a thicker consistency.
5. Toppings – This allows you to get creative. As with regular oatmeal, there are some classic additions like vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, maple syrup (or honey) and seed topping that really take the flavor to the next level and make overnight oats super delicious.

Overnight Oats Ratio

The basic recipe for overnight oats is super simple! The hardest part is getting the right ratio of oatmeal to milk.

I aim for a 1 to 1 ratio of oatmeal to milk, plus half as much yogurt. So for 1 cup of oatmeal I use 1 cup of milk + 1/2 cup of yogurt (or if you don’t use yogurt 1/2 extra cup of milk). For this recipe, I skip the yogurt and use the extra milk. This gives the oatmeal the perfect consistency. Not too thick, but not too runny either.

Be creative!

Like I said, you can mix different ingredients or add toppings to take your overnight oats to the next level. Here are some examples of toppings you can use.

• Fruit – you can’t go wrong with bananas and berries, but almost any fruit will work
• Peanut butter is definitely a must. It makes your overnight oats even creamier.
• Nuts and seeds – almonds, peanuts, pecans, walnuts, sunflower seeds, coconut, hazelnuts, pumpkin seeds…. the sky is the limit
• Granola – I am (obviously) a granola lover and love adding crunchy granola to my overnight oats.
• Chocolate – I am a big proponent of adding a little chocolate to overnight oats. I like to use chocolate chips.

Is oatmeal overnight healthy?

Overnight oats offer many health benefits. This is because of their rich fiber and protein content. They also contain vitamins and minerals, including manganese, phosphorus, magnesium, copper, iron and zinc. This makes overnight oats healthy for your gut.

Can oatmeal overnight be stored overnight?

Overnight oats can be stored in a vacuum for up to five days in the refrigerator. The longer you keep them the creamier they become. I usually eat mine the next day.

How long do Overnight oats need to soak in?

You should definitely let the milk soak into the oatmeal overnight. This way you will achieve the optimal texture…. I recommend leaving it in the refrigerator for at least 6 hours. Personally, I like it up to 24 hours. After that they are a little too creamy for my taste. Take them out of the fridge when you are ready to eat it.

Oatmeal Overnight Recipes

Below are 2 recipes to make Oatmeal Overnight bowls. They are both easy to make and most importantly delicious.
Enjoy.

Chocolate coconut overnight oats

Ingredients

• 1 bag Chocolate Banana Oatmeal
• 1 teaspoon grated coconut
• ½ cup (120 ml) light coconut milk
• As toppings: strawberries, granola and/or grated chocolate.

Preparation

1. In the evening, add the oatmeal, grated coconut and coconut milk to a jar or bowl.
2. Stir well, until combined.
3. Place in the refrigerator to soak overnight.
4. Stir it quickly in the morning and serve with berries, shredded coconut and cacao nibs (or various toppings of your choice). You can also take it with you in a tightly sealed jar as a to-go breakfast or snack.

Overnight chia apple oats with nuts and berries

Ingredients:

• 1 bag of apple oatmeal
• 1 tsp chia seeds
• ½ cup (120 ml) unsweetened almond milk
• 2 tablespoons natural yogurt (plain or vegetable)
• (optional) a dash of cinnamon
• 1 bag Goji Berries & Nuts, for topping
• (optional) sliced apple, a tablespoon of yogurt and a dash of honey or maple syrup, as a topping

Preparation:

1. Add all ingredients except toppings to a pot or bowl. Stir until everything is well blended and refrigerate overnight or for at least 4 hours.
2. When ready to eat, stir it in, garnish with nuts and berries and serve. Add apple slices, yogurt, and honey or syrup as an additional topping, if desired. Serve and enjoy.
3. Tip: you can also seal the jar with a lid and take it with you as a to-go breakfast or snack!

Conclusion

Oatmeal Overnight is deliciously creamy and super easy to make. Not only is it healthy, but in addition you can choose how you finish it; with fruit, nuts, seed toppings and more. You keep it in the refrigerator for one night to get the best results. The milk to oats ratio is the most important of all in this regard.

Have you ever made oatmeal overnight? What did yours look like?
Let me know!